Serving as the capital of Ardeche, Privas is a charming French town renowned for its cultivation of chestnuts. It was a hub for the Protestant Reformation during the 16th century and was besieged during the Huguenot rebellions of the 1620s. Prior to 1870, only a handful of Privas’s residents spoke French, with the majority speaking a Provençal-Occitan patois.
Things to do in Privas
In the heart of Privas is the Eglise Saint-Thomas, a 19th-century church with beautiful stained-glass windows and a commanding clock tower. On the southern edge of town is the Théâtre de Privas, which hosts live concerts and performing arts shows. It is also home to an art gallery where contemporary and experimental works by local and regional artists are exhibited.
For elevated views across the rooftops of Privas, head to the Site du Montoulon, a hilltop monument featuring three large crosses positioned atop a pieta. Designed by the French sculptor Carlo Sarrabezolles, it can be accessed along a well-signposted trail from the town’s west. At the top, there are panoramic views across the rolling hills of the Ardeche.
A short drive north of Privas is the Musee du Vivarais Protestant, which occupies a 15th-century fortified house in the Regional Natural Park of the Monts d’Ardeche. It was once home to a family of Protestant Resistance fighters who were pushing for religious freedom during the 18th-century royal prohibitions. During a visit, you can admire the beautifully preserved building and learn about the struggles its residents faced.
Getting around Privas
Privas is around 45 minutes’ drive from Valence and just over 1.5 hours from Lyon. Marseille Provence Airport is two hours away and has flights to destinations across Europe and North Africa. Buses connect to Privas and the town is small enough to explore on foot.